Rain in My Shoes: Rummaging in Riverview - DONE!

I came across this challenge over on TS3 and thought I'd give it a go. (Actually had a false start and decided to start over.)

If you were to look Dusty Rhodes up in his high school yearbook, you'd see that he was voted most likely to succeed. Son to the great outdoorsman, High Rhodes and his famous botanist wife, Lois Rhodes, he had his whole life planned out. He was going to become a real estate mogul to rival the Landgraabs, marry his high school sweetheart, have 2.5 children, a dog, a cat and gorgeous home that would grace the covers of SV Architect. That was until the housing market bubble burst, his high school sweetheart married the quarterback for the Fighting Llamas, and his house was repossessed. Now instead of being on the fast track to being the youngest simoleonairre in Sunset Valley history, he finds himself rummaging through garbage cans in Riverview. How far the mighty have fallen.

Dusty spent the day rummaging through the trashcans of Riverview's elite. Fortune was smiling on him today because he found a large chuck of compendium and an un-cut citrine in the trash at the house at 1 Remington Point. The things the rich throw away! Sheesh! But for Dusty, it was a major score! After smelting, the compendium turned out to be worth over §3000 and went a long way towards getting a suitable house built.

Later that day, while walking back to town from rummaging, Dusty came across first a crow and then Lilac Breasted Roller! He captured both birds for a sweet §1400.

With such good luck at rummaging, Dusty decided to splurge for dinner at the diner. While looking for a place to sleep, Dusty found the Cannery Warehouse and decided to take a nap behind some crates.

Week 1 - Day 2

Time to wash some of yesterday's rummaging funk off. Maybe the firemen won't mind if I use their showers. Ugh! Having to jog in the rain stinks, but not nearly as bad as Dusty! Too bad the rain won't do the job.

The rest of the day was spent rummaging, but no finds nearly as noteworthy as those from day 1. The only event worth noting was Dusty's run-in with a raccoon! (Hope that thing doesn't have rabies!)

Since it was still pouring down rain, Dusty decided to sleep under the gazebo in the park.

Week 1 - Day 3The compendium is back from the smelters, so Dusty finally had the funds to start building his house. He had a refurbished shipping container delivered, which will serve as his temporary shelter. He spent the day picking up seeds at the Greenhouse and used them to start a small garden.

Week 1 - Day 4 - 7

The rest of the week was pretty un-eventful. Dusty spent it alternately rummaging and gardening. Slowly but surely he raised enough funds to outfit the house with the necessities and even build a small extension on the house.

Week 2 - Day 1

Dusty has met the §5000 goal, and has met the basic housing requirements.

Hey everyone! Thanks for following Dusty's progress. I'll have more updates soon!

BG - He looks even hunkier when he's cleaned up and shaved! I started him out hunky then grubbed him up a bit. I figure as he gets established I will start giving him a make over. In fact, he's probably due an update now that he's a professional sim (but more on that later!)

Now that Dusty has a modest home with the basic necessities, it's time for him to get serious about his future. But what to do? He doesn't have any connections anymore, so a career is out of the question for now. What to do? Ms. Pearsim, his high school art teacher always said he had a knack for sculpting little nick-knacks. Perhaps that can be used to turn a profit? So, with the proceeds he earned from rummaging he decided to take the plunge and bought a sculpting station. After a few successful tries, he decided to register himself as a professional sculptor.

Friday

Getting established as a professional artisan of any sort is always slow going. So it's back to scavenging the countryside (not to mention the neighbor's garbage cans) for anything of value. And what a profitable day it was! He collected a chunk of platinum from the Remmington House (one of his favorite rummage spots), 9 assorted gems, a collection of insects and assorted wildflowers.

While rummaging at the Carpenter house, Dusty was caught in the act by Meadow Carpenter-Rhodes (no relation). Being a bit of an eccentric herself, Meadow was unfazed by Dusty's dumpter diving (and associated funk). She invited him in for a visit and they really hit it off! Turns out that she has a green thumb (and single to boot!)

SaturdayOut of the blue, Dusty received a party invitation from Meadow. He must have really made an impression for Meadow to invite him back. And Dusty was very excited about this turn of events. After old whatshername dumped him for her muscle-bound jock, he hadn't really felt much like dating or socializing in general. But the thought of seeing Meadow again made his heart flutter in a way that his ex never did.

When he arrived at the party and saw Meadow, he knew in his heart that she was "the one". They couldn't take their eyes off of each other the whole night. After a short while, Dusty made the craziest decision of his short life - he HAD to marry this woman even though he had only known her a few short hours. So down on bended-knee he went, baring his soul to this veritable stranger.

As it turns out... Meadow is more than a bit "eccentric", she's out-and-out nuts. Apparently getting engaged to complete strangers wasn't all that strange to her, so she accepted right away. She joked about how she wouldn't even have to change her name, so why not? However, she absolutely would NOT marry Dusty until he had a bachelor party first. So with that, they parted ways for the night.

I am happy to see Dusty found love so quickly. I just hope there are no dark secrets hiding. Knowing some such a short time could be dangerous!

Too true, Rheassi! Fortunately she has turned out to be a good match for Dusty. Her only quirks are that she has the "insane" and "slob" traits. So, she she changes clothes A LOT and leaves them strewn about the place!

Today was both a strange and happy day. Dusty's first stop was to the Elixer Consignment Store where they let him use the gem-cutting machine. After cutting all of his finds from the previous week, he decided to check in with his "financial advisor" (his name for his stubby pencil and notebook).

Family Funds: §6235Real Estate: §0Lot: §9087

When he arrived back home, he had the strangest shock waiting for him. He came face to face with an alien being! Turns out the alien was pretty friendly. His name is Teceq.

And finally, later that evening, Kia aged up to adult. Teceq had told him that dogs are particularly sensitive to the smell of metals and other valuables. He suggested that Dusty should train Kia for hunting.

Monday / TuesdayToday is the day of the bachelor party. Some of his hard earned rummaging-funds had to be put towards accoutrements for the party, such as a bar and dance floor. He figues he can sell them after the party. Dusty doesn't know many people, but Teceq and a few others showed up. It wasn't exactly a roof-raiser, but it wasn't a disaster either. It lasted well into the next day.

Not one for waiting, Dusty called Meadow and told her that the bachelor party was over. They agreed to get married that very night at the Winter Festival.

Between the small amount of money that Meadow brought with her, and the gifts from their vary generous friends, things are looking good financially for the couple.

Apparently practicing guitar in a bathing suit in the middle of winter seems like a "reasonable" activity...

(NOTE: Since they have well exceeded the §5000 / house requirements, I let Meadow keep her job and I decided to keep Dusty as a sculptor for his profession.)

WednesdayAfter selling the wedding presents and the bachelor party furniture, they spent a few Simoleons renovating the house.

Saturday

The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. Meadow worked on her guitar skills and helped to train Kia for hunting. Dusty worked on a few sculptures.

I did say "fairly" uneventful... That is until the moon turned full. Apparently somebody (and I'm not naming any names) forgot to lock the garden gate and Zombies devastated the garden! (Fortunatley it was dormant anyway and they were planning on changing up the garden once Spring arrived.)

Between Meadow's job, a few lucrative sculpting opportunities, and Kia's keen hunting senses, the Rhodes family is doing really well!

Family Funds: 6603Real Estate: 0Lot: 33855

Tuesday

The house may not be on the cover of any magazines, it's livable. So Dusty and Meadow decided instead of upgrading the house, it was time to invest in commercial property. Their first venture was to become partners in Hogan's Deep-Fried Diner. The also became partners in the bookstore and grocery store.

They also spent time in the Salon getting makeovers.

(Sorry! I forgot to get pictures of their makeovers. This one tiny picture will have to do for now.)

Wednesday

SWEET MOTHER OF LLAMAS! Kia brought home an uncut pink diamond worth §1313! I can only imagine what it will be worth when it is cut. Dusty decided to hold off cutting and selling this one until he had perfected the art of the heart-shaped cut.

Thursday

Yippee! Dusty earned enough lifetime reward points to be able to afford the collection helper! He is in business now!

Friday

Kia is turning out to be a wonder-dog! She brought home another pink diamond and a chunk of woohooium!

Dusty spent the entire day trying out the collection helper and it was a very profitable day!

5 Heart cut Moonstones (17190) + 16 gem dust (2664)

2 Heart cut Pink Diamonds (13175) + 5 gem dust (1747)

1 Heart cut diamond (870) + 2 gem dust (69)

1 Heart cut fluorite (2085) + 2 gem dust (206)

1 Heart cut geode (235) + 5 gem dust (93)

1 Heart cut ruby (145) + 2 gem dust (14)

2 Heart cut smoky quartz (195) + 5 gem dust (23)

1 Heart cut sunstone (2110) + 6 gem dust (818)

2 Heart cut bloodstones (765) + 2 gem dust (34)

1 Heart cut tanzanite (395) + 3 gem dust (58)

2 Heart cut yellow sapphires (470) + 3 gem dust (22)

1 large llamatite space rock (210)

1 large dukeadite space rock (310)

3 tiny dukeadite space rock (41,44,46)

With that, Dusty achieved his lifetime wish (Swimming in Cash) and bought a Philosopher's Stone.

Week 4

SundayFamily Funds: 53907Real Estate: 20000Lot: 22387Total: 96294

Apparently there was a mixup at the smelters. Dusty sent them Kia's woohooium (1), plus 5 gold and 2 palladium he found. But what they sent back was:

8 Gold (4460)

1 Woohooium (4299)

6 Palladium (16953)

Then later Kia brought home an uncut SOULPEACE worth §1566. And Dusty broke a stone sculpture and found another chunk of woohooium.

Dusty and Meadow decided it was time to adopt a companion for Kia, so they got a dog named Indi. (And yes, he will be trained to hunt as well!)

They made a MAJOR renovation to the house, reconfiguring the first floor and adding a second.

Monday

With the money left over from the renovation, Dusty bought out the rest of the partners in the diner and renamed it to Rhode's Side Diner. He also bought shares in Doo Peas Tower and the Outstanding Citizens Warehouse.

Tuesday

Another profitable day. Meadow started training Indi to hunt. He brought back a chunk of carbon steel (which I've forgotten to get smelted) on his first time out. Dusty sculpted a masterpiece worth 3899, but he delivered it as part of an opportunity, which got him a little over 7000 for it! He later got the soulpeace and a few other gems cut.

1 Heart cut soulpeace (7830) + 1 gem dust (448)

1 heart cut diamond (610) + 4 gem dust (144)

1 heart cut septariun nodule (1090) + 2 gem dust (123)

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And with that, I'm caught up. I should warn you all that though I *try* to make stories etc for my sims when I do challenges, it usually falls by the wayside. I'm more goal-oriented and less story-oriented. I will work my sims until they collapse and I play on fast-forward so much I forget to get pictures...

Looks like this old box .. or was that shipping crate ? ... is turning into a right presentable home. I too am a slave driver when it comes to challenges. Ever pushing my little slaves .. um Sims ... toward the next goal.

yup. It's a shipping container modern. I keep meaning to recolor the outside so that each "container" is a different color. But it's 2 "full sized" containers along the back, and 4 "half sized" containers stacked in front. I just changed the fenced in area to a connected greenhouse and itsy bitsy pool and then I added a basement. The basement is empty for now til I figure out what to do with it. The house is now worth nearly §70K (and it's still only a 20x15 lot!)